The N word: to “er” or to “a”

            The NFL has recently decided to issue a 15 yard penalty for use of the N word. This policy has been met with much controversy. Particularly on the issue of whether the penalty is warranted based on the intent of the word. The word “nigger” was been demonized since its inception. While originally not being racially specific, it has of late been categorized with people of color. The word used to only classify people who are lazy and shiftless, but now The Merriam Webster dictionary defines the word as pertaining to “a black person” or “any member of the dark skinned race”. This is highly problematic because the hatred  this word represents has been validated and sanctioned. I believe that the NFL does have a point, but I believe the word as a whole should be abandoned.

            I have never been of the opinion that there is much difference between “nigger” and “nigga”. I know that it is en vogue to say “my nigga”. And that term of endearment has transcended ethnic boundaries. People of color can say it to their Caucasian friends. Some Caucasians are even “allowed” to say it back. Other Caucasians, like Gwyneth Paltrow, and her notorious use of the word on Twitter are not allowed to use the word. Who determines who has the “n word usage pass”? I have no clue. My question to those who do use the word is why? Whatever happened to “my dude”, “my man”, and “my main man”? I’ve even called one friend “my hetero life mate”. I am not going to be a total hypocrite and say I have NEVER said that word in my lifetime but I don’t really like to use it. I think it demeans my intellect and character and the character of my friends.

            I will return back to the NFL for a brief respite. I understand why the NFL is issuing this policy. The recent bullying scandal with the Miami Dolphins and the potential drafting of Michael Sam are examples of real and potential hazing that can occur. As someone who did play football, albeit at the high school level, I can say that every form of vulgarity is uttered on that field. And in the locker room it is amplified. Do I think there should be a 15 yard penalty for using the word? Yes. Do I think that the penalty will create actual change? No. Players/coaches/officials will all probably continue to use the word. Those people will just use them in their inner sanctums of the locker rooms/private offices.

            The NFL is the number one sports brand in the United States for a reason. It is expertly marketed and the essence of the game is pure Americana. People like seeing collisions and seeing these hulking athletes go heads up for 60 minutes. I seriously doubt a 15 yard penalty will affect things too much. It may get called five times all year. And I doubt it will happen in the playoffs. I wish the NFLPA would just have an informal agreement to not use the word ever. If Richard Pryor, whose lewd and raunchy comedic routines are that of legend, could see the detriment of referencing someone using the “n word” why can’t the athletes of the NFL?

            Something that I have noticed, particularly as I have aged and been witness to the social media era, is that the art of conversation has been lost. People, this encompasses all ethnicities, have just forgotten how to talk to one another. Why in the world would I want to be friends with someone who disrespected me? A female calling a female a bitch is severely disrespectful, whether it is meant as a term of endearment or not. There is nothing endearing about being called a female dog. Even if a female is acting hostile, there are rules of decorum. The same logic applies to the “n word”. I find myself to be neither lazy nor shiftless. Moreover, I would hope that my friends would respect me and my character enough to know that would offend me.

            Whether it is “nigger” or “nigga”, the n-word represents a cultural stigma of ignorance which needs to be eradicated. Language is perhaps one of the most wonderful things on the planet. The fact that a combination of words/sounds can be linked to represent an idea is fascinating. Some ideas need to be embraced and upheld. But some ideas and concepts, especially those that are insensitive to an entire ethnicity of people, need to be revoked and disavowed. I look forward to the day when it is trendier to be articulate and respectful, than common and crass.